OT: New bike hauler
 

No electric truck for me...sold my old beloved squarebody and upgraded to something that will hopefully be more reliable.

Spent all weekend test driving Ram, Chevy, Nissan, Ford....and there was one clear winner (for me at least).

Need to figure out the best way to haul bikes in this beast. Suggestions?

Hopefully will not have to buy another vehicle for a long long time.

As a bonus the color is a near perfect match for my favorite pair of eyes.

https://i.imgur.com/kt1knjyl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/daGABpBl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UDKFJ1Sl.jpg

Downgrade from the squarebody!

I am offended by the size of that screen in the dash.

Yeah but this one has a working gas gauge...and the windows go up and down every single time. And I can carry on a conversation with the person next to me at highway speeds. I made a pretty penny in profit on the squarebody sale and while I will miss it, I won't miss it.

The screen is large, but not in the way at all. Not as luxurious as the Ram, way better economy than the Chevy, I Just didn't gel with the Ford, and the Nissan is on it's way out. It just scoots and it feels tight compared to the others.

What engine is in there?

It's a limited with the IMax v6 twin turbo Hybrid. I get to experience whether or not that famous Toyota reliability stands up to turbo power. I don't put many miles on a vehicle, so hopefully will be fine.

Depends where you want the bikes.

I use fork mounts on a single track at the front of my bed. But, that requires popping off the front wheel and lifting the bike into the bed. Your truck is taller than mine (Ridgeline), so might not be feasible.

1Up or Kuat Piston if you want a hitch rack.

Or 1Up or Kuat Piston single-trays if you go with rails across the bed.

unless you really need the open bed, i highly endorse a solid shell, like the RSI to keep gear out of the weather and secure from thievery.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...0/IMG_9993.jpg

I am offended by the size of that vehicle.

Kuat NV with the 2 bike addition if you're carrying 4 bikes. Kuat Sherpa if you're only carrying 2.

Alternatively a Thule bed

Congrats on the truck. I went through the same and ended up with an F150. But tundra was being strongly considered.

Hauling. Highly depends on what your needs are:
How many bikes?
Do you need weather protection? Theft protection?
Ease of set up and take down important?

ie, If I lived in the PNW where it rains a lot and some areas have high theft problems, I’d get a truck shell like pictured above.

For me personally, I have no weather or theft issues so I simply use a tailgate pad that can haul 6 bikes. I also have a 1Up rack for those rare occasions where the bed is full.

Poor pic, but I've used this thing for years. A 2x6 piece of clear cedar with 2 fork mounts installed. It fits in the cutaway within the bed lined with no fixed attachment and just lifts out when you want to put it away. But I don't have a TV in my dash.....:( :cool:

I wonder what Tickdoc is compensating for? ;)

Good luck Sir with that beautiful spendy truck. First Oil change at 500 miles then 2nd at 5k and every 5k thereafter. Not sure what that calls for however I run Mobil 1 in all my gas motors. @265k on a '10 Highlander, and 96K on an '18. Using oil reports, they are both in great shape. I also change air filter @ every other oil change or 10k unless you are a gravel road maniac then every oil change. She's a beauty!

Nice. I recently replaced my 2013 Jetta Sportwagen and 2009 Tacoma with a 2023 Honda Ridgeline. Not a real truck like yours but the ride is nice which was most important (I never tow). Went with a 1 UP double rack since its nice not to have to take the wheel off like I did with the Jetta Kuat roof rack. good luck!!

(Yes the rack is slightly tilted, its the truck not the rack. (Tried it on my wife's SUV and it was level)